South Plains College students make new residence hall home

Tubb Hall is being lived in for the first fall semester.

Madison Cress, left, gets help from Aurora Carrillo as she moves into her new dorm room in Nathan Tub Residence Hall at South Plains College Tuesday, August 21, 2012. (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Stephen Spillman)

Madison Cress says keeping photos in her new dorm room helps make the place feel a bit more like home in Nathan Tub Residence Hall at South Plains College Tuesday, August 21, 2012. (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Stephen Spillman)

Ana Fabila pulls out some of her art work she plans to hang in her new dorm room in Nathan Tub Residence Hall at South Plains College Tuesday, August 21, 2012. (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Stephen Spillman)

LEVELLAND — Ana Fabila isn’t going far for college, but she made sure to bring a piece of home with her to Nathan Tubb residence hall.

The Lubbock resident was busy Tuesday afternoon decorating her room in the newly built South Plains residence hall with a lot of pink and zebra print. Fabila will start her first year of college as a graphic design major next week.

“The covers I got from my mom because she likes zebra,” she said, pointing to her loft-style bed.

The student also brought along art she created with prisma colors.

The decorations from home make her feel more comfortable with her new independent life, she said.

“My art made me feel like (I was at) home,” she said. “Where I go, my art goes with me.”

Tubb Hall is being lived in for the first fall semester. The hall opened and was dedicated to a retired academic vice president and former regent Nathan Tubb in January.

The two-story, 104-bed women’s residence hall has a central common area and additional common areas on each floor. The hall also has computer labs and laundry facilities.

Nicole Baker came to SPC from Schertz and brought along her mother, grandmother, grandfather and a friend. She said having her loved ones there made the transition easier.

The first-year biology major said she is looking forward to gaining independence and wanted to make the room her own.

In Schertz, her bedroom walls are blue, she said, so having the light blue plaid comforter on her bed makes her feel at home.

“You’re going to be here for the next nine months, and if it doesn’t feel like home, you’re not going to be comfortable,” Baker said. “Why would you want to be here if you’re not comfortable?”

First-year student Aurora Carrillo and second-year student Madison Cress were assigned to be next-door neighbors, but met Tuesday morning and decided they would make even better roommates.

Tuesday afternoon, the two were busy moving Cress’ black and pink decor into the room next door with Carrillo’s pink and purple bedding and decorations.

Cress, who is earning her pre-requisites for radiology, said she is excited to live in the facility.

“I like that it’s new, and everything seems modern and updated,” she said. “In other dorms, like at Tech, everything seems old.”

Carillo, a social-work major, said she likes the privacy the hall offers.

The two share a bathroom and vanity area, and have access to a living area, kitchen and study room, along with the others in their wing.

Both students agreed the most important items they brought from home were photographs.

“You have to be comfortable,” Cress said. “You don’t want to live somewhere where you hate the people you’re around and stuff. I want to feel like this is my home away from home.”

Carillo said she saves mementos from time with friends, like the stubs from movie tickets. She decorated her room with those and photos of her family at her high school graduation.

“That way, I can remember what it’s like to be back home and appreciate being here,” she said.